Aden: The liberation of the strategic city of Mukalla is a stern warning to all those who support terrorism in Yemen, the Arab Coalition to restore legitimacy in Yemen affirmed on Thursday.
Staff Brigadier Musallam Al Rashidi, Commander of UAE Force in Hadhramout, who is commanding the liberation battle in Mukalla, said the support provided by the Arab Coalition had been very instrumental in driving Al Qaeda militants out of the city, affirming the coalition's determination to pursue them wherever they were.
''Stability of Yemen means stability for the whole region,'' the UAE commander told a joint press conference held by the coalition and the Yemeni national army, adding that Al Qaedi looted US$100 million (Dh367 million) daily during its rule of Mukalla; after the liberation, it lost its key funding sources.
''The liberation of Mukalla has proved how Al Qaeda was fragile,'' he said, noting that air strikes carried out by the coalition had facilitated the mission of the Yemeni army.
Brigadier Al Rashidi indicated that the UAE force was training Yemeni army personnel who had proven their merit in the battleground.
According to him, tonnes of relief assistance from the UAE were on their way to the city.
Brigadier Auni Al Qurni, Deputy Commander of Mukalla's Liberation Force, said the operation had been carried out at the request of the legitimate government.
